2 Las Cruces federal court security officers suspended

LAS CRUCES — Two security officers who worked at U.S. District Court in Las Cruces have been suspended from working at the facility, after allegations of impropriety cropped up in recent weeks.

The personnel were officers who worked for a private firm, the Española-based Akal Security, that contracted with the U.S. Marshals Service, said James Badway, spokesman for the U.S. Marshals Service.

"There were allegations of misconduct," he said. "They were removed immediately from working in the courthouse."

A complaint that prompted their removal was made on Oct. 19, a Friday, Badway said. That was followed up with a "preliminary investigation" that was carried out over the following weekend by the U.S. Marshals Service.

That means, because the U.S. Marshals Service is not their direct employer, the two personnel are essentially restricted from working at the courthouse or other federal facilities with which Akal Security has a contract, Badway said.

However, the nature of the infractions is unclear. Badway said he's not allowed to discuss specifics because it's a personnel matter.

While deputized marshals handle aspects of security inside the courthouse, "there are certain positions, like the doors, they contract to Akal," Badway said.

The security guards belong to the United Government Security Officers of America Union.

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Lisa Toracco, an Albuquerque-based attorney for the security guards who've been blocked from courthouse, emphasized that they were "not terminated."

"There's been no administrative action taken," she said. "They have no idea what the allegations are against them."

A spokesman for Akal Security couldn't be reached for comment Thursday. According to its website, the company describes itself as the "largest judicial security contractor in the United States." It provides protection services for 300 federal courthouses in 40 states, according to the company.

U.S. Judge Robert C. Brack, the top federal judge in Las Cruces, also couldn't be reached.

Often the contracted security guards are retired local law enforcement officers.

Security on the outside of the building, meanwhile, is handled by Federal Protective Service, a branch of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Diana Alba Soular can be reached at (575) 541-5443; follow her on Twitter @AlbaSoular